The government has reversed its decision to exclude independent pharmacies from its £2,000 employment allowance, following campaigns by a number of community pharmacy organisations.Contractors were previously unable to claim for the allowance, which was announced on April 6, because they carried out more than half of their work for the NHS and were deemed “public sector” businesses.But HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) confirmed on May 6 that the government had changed its mind and independents would be eligible for the allowance, in the wake of a three-week campaign by pharmacy groups including all-party pharmacy group chair Sir Kevin Barron and shadow health minister Jamie Reed, who threw their weight behind the campaign.“Following representations received from pharmacies and representative bodies clarifying and providing further details of their work, HMRC has come to the conclusion that independent pharmacies do not come within the exclusion when they are dispensing NHS prescriptions,” a government spokesperson said.

HMRC have now updated their online guidance which can now be accessed by clicking Here.

The LPC recommends you read this guidance to ensure that your organisations meet the criteria.